Create a calm, clean, and beautifully styled space to welcome you home.
Going on holiday should feel exciting and rejuvenating, but there’s nothing worse than returning to a chaotic or neglected home. While most pre-travel checklists focus on locking doors and turning off appliances, this is not your typical advice. Instead, these are designer-approved steps that are all about creating a home that looks and feels styled, serene, and soul-soothing.
Think of it as preparing your home the way you’d prep a luxury hotel suite—so you can return to a space that’s clean, calm, and ready to support your post-travel glow. These essential, design-focused things to do at home before leaving for holiday truly work—and they’ll help you come back to your sanctuary, not your to-do list.
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1. Style Your Entryway as a Welcome Home Moment
Your entryway is the first thing you see when you walk back in, so give it some love. Clear away clutter, wipe down surfaces, and layer in cozy accents—a woven basket for shoes, a console with a scented candle or diffuser, and maybe a small bouquet of dried flowers that won’t wilt while you’re away. This little styling moment will greet you with a sense of calm and familiarity after a long journey.
Design Tip: Switch your doormat before you leave for something clean and cheerful. It’s a tiny detail, but it sets the tone from the moment you step in.
2. Do a “Visual Declutter” of Surfaces
Before you head out, walk through your home and remove visual clutter—mail piles, half-read books, and any unfinished home projects sitting out. Tidy surfaces feel like a fresh start and will keep your mind from jumping to to-dos the moment you’re back. Style surfaces instead with minimal, intentional vignettes: think a stack of books, a single ceramic bowl, or a sculptural object.
3. Freshen Up Soft Furnishings and Linens
It’s one of the most luxurious feelings: sliding into freshly washed sheets after a trip. Before you go, change your bed linens, fluff the pillows, and spritz your bedroom with a linen spray or essential oil mist. Wash throw blankets and straighten up your sofa cushions. These soft touches elevate your entire home’s feel and make it instantly inviting when you return.
Pro Tip: If you have time, iron your pillowcases or duvet cover for that hotel-fresh look.
4. Empty the Bins and Style the Kitchen Like a Showroom
Yes, you’ll want to take out the rubbish—but go a step further by clearing the counters and styling your kitchen like a showroom. Wipe down surfaces, put away countertop appliances, and leave out only a wooden bowl of lemons or a vase of faux greenery. This gives the kitchen a styled, high-end look and keeps it feeling serene, not sterile. And lastly, don’t forget to leave your dishwasher cracked open slightly to prevent musty smells.
Stay stress-free this season with key things to do at home before holiday travel or entertaining—keep reading for a complete prep checklist!
5. Refresh Your Bathroom with Spa-Like Touches
Coming home to a spa-like bathroom is a small luxury with big impact. Before you leave, wash and neatly fold towels, wipe down mirrors and counters, and refill hand soap if it’s low. Add a small vase of eucalyptus or a neutral, long-lasting decorative touch. Keep it simple and fresh—like a boutique hotel that’s ready for your return.
Elevate the vibe: Add a scented sachet in a drawer or linen cupboard for subtle fragrance.
6. Style Your Bedside Table with Intentional Calm
You might be too tired to unpack right away—but if your bedroom feels cozy and cared for, you’ll ease back into home life more peacefully. Tidy your bedside table, put away clutter, and leave a good book or magazine, a small dish for jewelry, and a gentle light source like a soft lamp or a candle (unlit, of course). It’s your first stop when unwinding at home.
7. Set the Mood with Lighting and Scents
A dark, stuffy house is a mood killer. Leave a few lights on timers, especially in communal spaces and the entryway. Set a diffuser with a slow-release essential oil blend—citrus and lavender are both uplifting and calming. These subtle design cues set the tone for an emotionally and visually restful homecoming.
Don’t forget: If you return at night, mood lighting will make everything feel warmer and safer.
8. Leave Yourself a Little Gift
This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about nurturing your future self. Leave a note on the counter welcoming yourself home, stash a few snacks or your favorite coffee beans in the pantry, or even place a fresh bar of soap in the shower. It’s thoughtful and personal, and it reminds you that your home is your sanctuary.
Final Thoughts: Design Your Return as Intentionally as Your Departure
Your holiday is a break from routine—but your home should always feel like your calm center. These interior design-focused things to do before leaving for holiday aren’t just about tidiness—they’re about creating an environment you’re excited to return to. With a little prep, your home becomes more than a place to land; it becomes part of the restorative experience.
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